South Lambton Birds!

On a recent trip to the Sombra area, we found one of our target birds, the Black Tern!

We watched 16 Black Terns catch food (insects and minnows) while in flight.

At the edge of the St. Clair River, a female Purple Martin collected nesting material and flew it back to the nesting condominium nearby.

3 Ruddy Ducks, enjoyed the sunny, peaceful day!

Red-winged Blackbirds flew back and forth along the water's edge, protecting their territories.

A pair of Savannah Sparrows also having a territorial squabble!

Mute Swans on nesting site.

 A Walk along the Sydenham!

We went to see the Virginia Bluebells, but stayed to look for other treasures. There were acres and acres of Bluebells!

A couple of ponds were excavated 18 months ago. It was nice to see so much life in them already!

Green Frogs were lurking in and around the water.

Lots of new Tadpoles!

Tadpoles out for a swim.

Green Darner pair laying eggs on water plants.

A hovering Green Darner!

Freshly hatched (teneral) dragonfly. (Species unknown)

We saw approximately 300 Red Admirals! There has been an incredible flight this year. The last time Red Admirals were seen in such large numbers was in 2012.

 Backyard Moths!

Our Backyard Moth trap attracts "night life" passing through the yard. After dropping through a funnel below the light, insects settle down onto egg cartons where they spend the night in their own little resting spot. Below are some of the insects we attracted by leaving the light on for 2 hours.

In the morning, we can more closely look at the insects that used our backyard "motel". Ailanthus Webworm Moth is a moth that we often see in daylight hours in the garden.

Moths weren't the only insects attracted to the hotel. Bibio Femoratus are low, clumsy fliers that are usually found a couple of feet off the ground. They seem oblivious and unaware of humans as a threat and will not make any efforts to avoid sudden movements or threatening gestures. This was a new species for me.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/319006-Bibio-femoratus

Diamondback Moths are found across the globe. They originated in Europe and Asia and have now spread to all continents except Antarctica. They are a pest of crops such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts.

https://wildexplained.com/animal-encyclopedia/understanding-the-diamondback-moth-a-guide/

A Distinct Quaker was the largest moth we found. It's host plants include ash, birch, crabapple, maple and oak trees.

https://www.butterflyidentification.org/information.php?primary_name=distinct-quaker-moth

Rhyssella Nitida is a member of the ichneumonidae wasp family. They attack the immature stages of insects and spiders, providing an important role in controlling insect populations.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47199-Ichneumonidae

 Sora at the Lagoons!

It has been several years since I last had a good look at a Sora. Because of their ability to hide, seeing a Sora can take some effort, but the Sora is the most abundant and widespread rail in North America! This one popped out in front of me at the Strathroy Lagoons.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/overview

The Cornel Lab, All About Birds, describes their walk through shallow wetlands as being a bit like a chicken that has had too much coffee! (And I have to agree 😊) In its travels, I watched it poke a frog who made a giant hop to escape. 

Rails have skinny bodies which allow them to walk through long grass and reeds. Their very long toes and large feet help them to walk on top of aquatic vegetation. The Sora has a bright yellow bill.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/id

Spotted Sandpipers are slightly smaller than a killdeer. At least 4 individuals were flying in the area. The female Spotted Sandpiper is the one who establishes and defends the territory. She arrives at the breeding grounds earlier than the male.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Sandpiper/overview

A Muskrat tried to swim unnoticed past me.

Many muskrat lodges in the ponds provide nesting and resting spots for Canada Geese as well as Painted Turtles.

I saw dozens and dozens of Red Admirals. It has been a banner year for this species! They are one of the most widespread butterflies in Ontario.

A male Red-winged Blackbird surveys his territory.

I did get to see the Black-necked Stilt, thanks to a birder with a scope. It is possible the species, typically found on the West and South-east coasts of NA may nest again this year!

 Migration in 'G' Major!

All bird names shown, start with the letter 'G'!

GREEN HERON: Depending upon the light, we don't always get to see the green colour. They are similar in body size to the American Crow.

Compared with most herons, Green Herons are short and stocky, with relatively short legs and thick necks that are often drawn up against their bodies. They have broad, rounded wings and a long, daggerlike bill.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/id

GREBE: Horned Grebes are almost always seen on the water where they make fairly brief dives in pursuit of fish and invertebrates. Breeding birds feed heavily on insects and larvae; some are caught in the air, while others are caught in/on the water.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Horned_Grebe/id

GROSBEAK: Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are chunky birds that use their stout bills to eat seeds, fruit, and insects. They are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders where sunflower seeds are favoured. 3 males have been visiting our feeder this week.

GNATCATCHER: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are tiny, long-tailed birds. They use spiderwebs and lichens to build small, neat nests which sit on top of branches and look like tree knots. Despite their name, gnats do not form a significant part of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's diet. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-gray_Gnatcatcher/overview

 Point Lands!

I wandered around the Point Lands by the St. Clair River recently. The Great Lakes Model (above) was a big hit with my kids when they were young as they sailed homemade boats through the waters. However the 2 foot drop at Niagara Falls caused much stress when the sailing vessels became trapped at the bottom of the miniature hydraulic wave. (A butterfly net always saved the day!)

Tree Swallows were the "bird of the day" by the pond as they flew circles around me, periodically landing on perches.

The day of my walk appeared to be "Nest Box Selection Day". They investigated each box, taking turns perching, peeking inside, and then flying to the next box.

Time for a rest.

The Swallows were in competition with invasive House Sparrows for the nesting boxes.

A female Red-winged Blackbird popped up on the dogwood bush as I passed by. She was likely assessing the site for nest placement.

As I approached, a male Red-winged Blackbird departed.

I finally saw the new SARNIA sign by the river.

 Spring Wildflowers!

Virginia Springbeauty is one of the many wildflowers native to our area. I enjoy the beauty of these flowers but they have another benefit beyond aesthetics. Native wildflowers provide food and shelter to the many insects, butterflies and birds that I so enjoy discovering on my nature walks! 

Purple Cress: Native Wildflowers have adapted to grow in our climate and rarely require watering.

Wood Poppy: Native Wildflowers provide shelter and food for wildlife. They help to increase biodiversity.

Sharp-lobed Hepatica: The roots of wildflowers help to reduce soil erosion by holding the soil in place.

Red Trillium is sometimes called Stinky Robert! A girl on a hike last year, took a whiff, and decided it smelled like a wet dog! 

A virus is the likely cause of the mostly green petals on this White Trillium.

Virginia Bluebells: The tubular flowers are especially valuable to bumblebees, mason bees and other long-tongued bees. Butterflies, skippers, Sphinx moths and even Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will benefit from the flowers.

https://www.inournature.ca/early-spring-blooming-native-plants